“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.” – Anon

For a start, let me share this travel post I published waaaaay back. This was in Pandin Lake with my travel mates/good friends. Quick info!! Pandin Lake is one of the seven lakes that can be found and enjoyed in Bgy. San Lorenzo, San Pablo Laguna. We got curious and took interest with the lake through an online source which described the place as El-Nido like paradise, I mean, El Nido? tell me this is not a good hook. The thought of El-Nido is very exciting so we immediately planned our Pandin escapade.​

As usual, planning is the hardest episode of group travels but I, being a pushy, managed to persuade. A week ahead, I contacted Ms. Tina through this number 09079952983 (in case you want a contact person, and if this does not work, try searching for pandin contact persons) to book our lake trip. Booking in Pandin lake means booking for bamboo raft “balsa” that can accommodate the group, so pre-booking is really important if you want to ensure a “balsa” for your group. Also, booking doesn’t include land transfers, which means that you have to google map your way to Bgy. San Lorenzo, San Pablo, Laguna (which is easy, btw) or just follow the steps Im about to give.

How to get to Pandin?

1.Ride a Jac Liner or DLTB bus bound to Lucena and alight at SM San Pablo (135 php from Kamias, 2 hours and 30 mins)

2. Ride a jeep to Bayan and tell Manong to drop you off at Simbahan (7 php, 10-15 mins; and I think this is the only Simbahan near the area)

3. Facing the church, walk ahead and keep right til you see the Ilog bound jeepneys parked at the side of 7-11. Tell Manong driver to drop you at Pandin (12 php, 10-15mins)

4. At the Pandin drop off point, kids are waiting to be picked as guides to lead you to the exact location of the lake (amount depends on your budget and kind heart, 10-min walk)

5. Search for your contact person.

Lets GO!
We departed from Kamias at exactly 9:30 AM and we arrived in Pandin Lake at 12:45 PM. I talked to Ms. Tina and waited (30 mins to 1 hour) for our “balsa” to be ready. A balsa rent costs 180/person, however, you can choose to add food/snacks (because you don’t want to starve yourself and rush the adventure) which will cost additional payment of 180/person. Basically, “balsa” without food costs 180/person and “balsa” with food costs 360/person. Easy.

Time check: 1:30 PM.
So, this is where the fun begins, our “balsa” started to move towards the picnic area and the next happenings are priceless.

We unleashed the photographers in us to capture the very sweet bonding with nature, its trees, its water, its freshness. TIP#1 – Frame the moments (you can never repeat the exact same moment ever again)

We sipped some fresh juice. TIP#2 – No alcoholic beverages in Pandin, and pls, do not litter (not just in Pandin,this applies everywhere). Help the Nature in your own little ways 🙂

 We enjoyed the water. It has just the right temperature to enjoy, to the point that you would not want to get off if only you could. It is clean yes, however since this is a lake, it lacks direct exchange with the ocean so please do not expect a very clear water. Pollution is the primary threat to lakes so please do not litter. Also, natural sinkers do not go well with lake water so TIP#3 – As much as possible, keep your floaters on. Do not risk it, or you’ll be the annual sacrifice. 😉

We took advantage to be photographed with this cheap yet famous swing. Tip#4 – Be friendly to your neighbors always, you may need to pass through their “balsa” to use the swing. (True story)😀

We enjoyed our time together. Tip#5 – Do not be ashamed. Express yourself (Tin’s first swimsuit experience).

It was 4:30 PM when “The Kuyas” told us to wrap up and enjoy our final minutes on the lake. For the last ten minutes, we just swam, took photographs, jumped, laughed, swam and swam some more. Truly, it was a nice experience for us. 

Good game, well played Mother Nature. Not nearly El Nido but still kudos to the People of San Pablo for maintaining such beauty. May God bless Pandin.

*TIP of the century: Never be ashamed to ask questions. It is the fastest way to find the San Pablo highway :)))